teach
English meaning: Teach
Definition
To give someone knowledge or skill by explaining or showing them.
Example
“He volunteered to teach local children how to swim safely in the river each summer.”
Another example: “His grandmother taught him how to bake bread when he was young.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A very common verb meaning to give knowledge or skill. The past tense and past participle are both 'taught' (irregular). Used in everyday and educational contexts. Can take two objects ('teach the children French').
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old English 'taecan' (to show, instruct), related to 'token'.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- teach a lesson
- teach a class
- teach a subject
- teach yourself
- teach someone how
Word Forms
teach (v); teaches; taught; teaching; teacher (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B